Open discussion of gun control is a losing issue...
For all the politicians in an election cycle. Thre rare bird that actually wants to maintain the status quo, or Heaven forbid, actually reduce the gun control in the country automatically loses the votes of the (primarily liberal) gun control crowd, and usually doesn't get firm support from (us) pro gunners, because he doesn't (and can't) go far enough. And of course, those openly advocating further gun control don't get our votes, and some of the gun banners don't support them because they don't go far enough to suit them.
Ever since the sleeping giant of gun owners in this country woke up and voted (for once, briefly) back in 94, outraged over the "Assault Weapons Ban", the politicians, and the Democrats in particular have known that an open push for gun control is political disaster. It cost them control of Congress, which they had maintained for 40 years. It wasn't the republican "contract with America" that did it, and while the press ignored the reality (as they always do when it doesn't fit their agenda), the Dems admitted it to themselves. The only politicians calling for more gun control are the usual suspects, those so firmly supported by their home districts that they fear nothing, as the rest of us do not, and cannot have any impact on their re-election bids.
The staggering impact of 9/11/2001 on our national psyche also had an effect on gun control advocates. It pointed out, in clear and bold terms that guns in the hands of US citizens were not the big problem the gun banners always claimed they were. After all, if someone could pull off a 9/11 without using any guns, aren't there more important things to worry about?
So, they won't bring up gun control during the campaigns, if they can help it. They will just keep their mouths shut on this particular issue, until after they are in office. Then watch out!!!
